(1) the mounting plate, which is used in combination with four bolts to secure the saginaw 710 steering gear to the chassis frame, was designed to have four welded bosses with the same final height dimension. this plate was not ground down; (2) paint was left on the surface between the mounting plate and the steering gear; (3) a flanged-head bolt was misaligned through the frame, mounting plate and the steering gear; or (4) the tolerances between the frame and the mounting plate holes were too tight causing an alignment problem during assembly.

Consequence Summary

These conditions can cause loose steering gear bolts which could lead to loss of steering control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Corrective Summary

Dealers will replace the steering gear flanged-head mounting bolts; the mounting plate will be machined to specification also insuring that the surface is free of paint; the steering gear mounting fasteners will be replaced; and the holes through the frame and the mounting plate will be enlarged to allow for increased assembly clearance.

Notes

System: steering; gear; rack and pinion. vehicle description: heavy duty truck chassis equipped with a saginaw 710 steering gear. note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact freightliner /oshkosh at 1-414-235-1726. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.